Yet another new person with a question...

[Gandalf Parker]

And then instead of a no-specials, easy to understand nation.. to recommend one with everything?

I didnt expect him to win with them. Just learn how to play the game..
Did you notice phrases like "ease a new player in to the game" and "I was looking for a faction that might be a bit easier to wrap my mind around"? I think I will stand by my recommendation (or Middle Era Man isnt bad also)

OH hey Munkie, before I forget. If you find yourself getting swarmed by the computer players then turn the independents UP to make it easier for you. People usually turn them down but that just makes the swarming worse

[rdonj]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Parker

And then instead of a no-specials, easy to understand nation.. to recommend one with everything?

I didnt expect him to win with them. Just learn how to play the game..
Did you notice phrases like "ease a new player in to the game" and "I was looking for a faction that might be a bit easier to wrap my mind around"? I think I will stand by my recommendation (or Middle Era Man isnt bad also)

OH hey Munkie, before I forget. If you find yourself getting swarmed by the computer players then turn the independents UP to make it easier for you. People usually turn them down but that just makes the swarming worse

The thing is, the nations I mentioned may have everything, but they're also GOOD or at least average at everything. So no matter what approach is used, they will always be effective. I don't think, therefore, that they are nations where having more options makes them more complicated. And I can't think of a nation more forgiving than niefelheim to mistakes. It's a very strong nation with most of its strengths being quite straightforward... especially if you follow valerius' advice. I'm not sure what makes a better candidate.

Foodstamp - that argument mostly boils down to "it'll make them think these nations are strong, and playing in the way that they'll do to defeat the AI will teach you very bad habits, and not actually help you learn how to play the game".

[MunkieSuthorn]

Wow, I am taken back by the passion that everyone in this thread has shown regarding their thoughts about how a new player should approach the game. On any other forum that I have encountered this conversation would have degraded in a poke-in-the-eye-fest.

Going back to my original questions and the responses given you all have given what seems like feasible and well supported methods to get my feet wet and my mind to understand this detailed and in-depth game.

Just to summarize the answers to my questions:

Recommended Races:
ME Ulm – Allows new player to focus on game mechanics
MA Man – Massing Longbows allows for flexibility with pretender design
MA Ashod – Strong Race allows for a lot of leeway
EA Niefelheim – Strong Race allows for a lot of leeway, this race seems to have the most support
EA Abysia – Opposite number of Niefelheim, strong but fire based
Mictlans after understanding the game a bit
EA Ermor for experimenting with communions
EA Tien Chi for teaching basics

Game Configurations:
Easy Research
Few Random Events
Turn Up Independents to Prevent Swarm

Multiple Installs:
Might Experience Issues with MP Games
Run from a Thumb drive

Again, Wow! A diverse set of races but it seems the majority feel that the EA Niefelheim lend to a powerful army that allows a new player to pretty much be able to make mistakes without getting killed for them. I definitely take in to account the thought that a powerful race such as this also might lend to boredom in that there might not be a challenge. The thought that which theme will appeal to me will lend to a lasting appeal of the game in general makes sense. It seems everyone’s thoughts are well backed up, and they all seem to make sense.

I am going to keep this thread up while I create and play my next game and I will definitely give feedback from my experience so I might help others in the same boat as me.

Thanks again for taking the time to craft your responses, they are very appreciated and I will try and utilize them all in some manner.

Kindly,
Munkie!